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1.04.2015

Out and About in North Carolina: Biltmore Estate's "Dressing Downton" Exhibit

My family has given up cable, and the one channel that our antenna does not pick up is PBS. But, I think our Amazon Prime is going to kick in so we can see this season's Downton Abbey. That's our plan, anyway. Downton Abbey Season Five starts tonight.

If you are a fan on the show then you may just want to travel to Asheville,N.C. this winter or spring to see the Biltmore Estate's Dressing Downtonexhibit. It opens February 5 and runs through May 25, 2015.

I think Lady Grantham is my favorite character. In fact, I did a little quiz last year and it said I was most like this character. I'm not sure if that is good or bad, but I'll take it.

The Biltmore Estate is a magical place, and you'll love a trip there. In my four years of blogging, I have worked with the estate on numerous stories. I still need to have afternoon tea, and visit the spa there. That's on my list. They are also opening at new hotel on property at the end of year in Antler Village. I think that will be a great addition to the estate.

Since I've been writing about travel on this site for awhile now and you trust me to tell you like it is, I will call Asheville our sexy city. It's kind of the destination that everyone lusts after to go visit.

You've got luxury, adventure, nature, arts, music, awesome beer, and fantastic food in one place. I am too lazy today to get real stats for you, but if I were a betting woman (and I'm not) I would put my money on Asheville as North Carolina's number one traveler destination. The Biltmore Estate certainly is, and I have gotten that stat in the past.

We have tons of other great places in North Carolina to visit as well, and we'll eventually get to those here. This is why I think North Carolina is such a wonderful destination. Asheville is a certainly a place that has international appeal. Many Europeans will visit larger cities for a U.S trip, but two weeks in North Carolina would really give people a diverse vacation. You can have the mountains and the coast with lots of great things in between in one visit. Aside from the U.S, several European countries are where a lot of my readers live. In 2015, I plan to give you more information so you can come visit.

Where to Stay:

I only have personal experience staying at the Inn at Biltmore (Stayed twice. Loved it more as a guest as a traveling couple than as guests with kids, but there is something magical about staying on property. Just like what they say about Disney) and the Hilton in Biltmore Town Square. Both are recommended by me as good places to stay. The Doubletree Hotel at Biltmoreis owned by the same group who owns the Hilton in Biltmore Town Park, and its location is ideal for visiting the Estate, in my opinion. It was recently renovated in December 2013. The location is fabulous for visiting the estate because it is right near the entrance and very close to the shops in the Village at Biltmore. They rebuilt it around the old creamery where I used to have ice cream as child.

The Doubletree has an indoor pool just like its sister location, and that is great for kids in the winter and spring. At rates hovering at $214 and below in February, it is an affordable, upscale option for families to stay and visit this exhibit. The hotel is also offering a Biltmore Package that includes Estate admission. A family of four would range $300 per night and below on weekends, depending on room category choice. This price includes breakfast.

The Inn at Biltmore is offering a great deal for weekday rates at 50 percent off. This would put rates starting at $169. That weekday special rate does include estate admission or breakfast.

I also have these properties on my list to visit for Asheville.

Omni Grove Park Inn (Haven't stayed there in 18 years but have eaten there)